The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-08-21
OBITUARY.
Rev. Aaron Wood, D. D., the Oldest Metho-
i dist Preacher in Indiana.

Rev. Aaron Wood, d. D., the Oldest Metho-
dist Preacher in Indiana
Special TO the indianapolis Journar.
CRAwFoRDsvILLE, AUG. 20.-Rev. Aaron
Wood D. D.. the oldest Methodist minister In
Indiana. died this morning, at his home in
TOWNSVILLE. four miles southwest of this city,
after long and painful illness from Brights
disease.
Aaron Wood was born in Virginia, on Oct 10,
1902. His parents removed to Ohio in 1905. At
the age of IL years he united with the Metho-
dist Church and therefore had been constant
Christian for seventyf four years In Decem Der,
1920 he was licensed to exhort by Rev R. N.
Finley. In the winter 1921 % he taught school.
He was licensed to preach Aug. "a. 1922, by
John Strange, presiding elder of the Lebanon.
o., district, and afterward was appointed
junior preacher in the London, O., circuit, with
G. W. Maley as minister in charge. During
that year he preached 233 times and travelled
2,260 miles. In September, 1923, the Methodist
Conference at Urbana, O., appointed him to the
Connersville circuit in Indiana His first SER
mon in Indiana was preached in
the Ecourt- house at Centerville, Wayne county
During the first year he did not miss a single
appointment, and received only $40 for his sup
port In September, 1924. he received in
the Ohio conference. at GAINESVILLE as a travel
ing preacher, and ordained by Bishop Roberts
He was then appointed to the Madison circuit
His appointments since then follows:
Vincennes. Ind, 1928; Bloomington, Ind. 1896;
Nj. Carmel. Ill. 1928; Corydon. Ind, 1929;
Vincennes, 1880; taught school Mt. Carmel.
H., from 1881 to 1888 presiding elder of the
Vincen district, 1S34-35; agent DePauw Uni
versity, of Greencastle. 1886; New Albany, 1887;
1e43; Lafayette district. 1874; agent
for s.u,. DsPauT s,,, ls45-4e; IT,. agent for
Terre Haute station. 1S52-53 Terre Haute dis
trict, 1S54-57 Indianapolis district 1880;
agent DePau University 1S61-62; at Perrysville,
1863-64; Ninth-street Church. Lafayette, 1865;
Michigan City. 1S66-67; Chaplain of State prison
at Michigan City, 1S68-70; agent Preachers Aid
Society Argos circuit. 1871; at Delphi. 1872-73
Williamsport 1874-75; Stockwell, 1876; Dayton,
Ind, 1877-7S; chaplain at Soldiers Home at
Knightstowu, 1889; supply TOWNSVILLE
circuit, 1882 to 1885, and also agent of the
Indiana Church Historical Society. In 1885. at
his own request he was placed on the superan-
uated list of Methodist ministers, having been
preacher slxtv-three years
He was chosen delegated to the general con-
ference at Baltimore in 1910, and also at New
York in 1914 These conventions were very
citing. owing to the question of slavery. which
resulted In the separation of the church, North
and South He was an ardent advocate of the
abolition of slavery. He was also a delegate at
the general conference at Philadelphia in 1864,
at Chicago in 1868. and In 1876 at Baltimore.
Rev. Wood always interested in the po-
litical issues of the day. He candidate for
Superintendent of Public Instruction the
Wing ticket in 1852. but was defeated. He
the first agent of the present De PAW Univers-
ity at Greencastle. and has always worked faith
fully for that institution. In 1927 he was mar
ried to Miss Laura Beauchamp. daughter of
Rev. VIM. Beauchamp. They had three chill
dren, two sons, and one daughter, all dead. His
first wife died in 1885, ard in 1889 he married
Miss Maria Hit, daughter of Martin Hit, of
Urbana, o., who survives him. By his last wife
he had seven children-six sons and one daugh-
ter-four of whom are dead. Of his sons;
Thomas b. Wood is superintendent of mis-
sions in South America, John Wood is
a physician living at Charna, N. NJ,
Joseph Il. Wood lives at TOWNSVILLE, and is
preacher The honorary degree of D. D. was
conferred upon him by the State University, at
Bloomington, Ind.
On Monday morning funeral services will be
conducted at TOWNSVILLE by Rev. j. w. Greene.
The remains will then be brought to this city
ane taken to the Methodist Church, where short
addresses will be made the life-work of the
deceased. The remains in the afternoon will be
taken to Lafayette, where appropriate services
will be conducted at tho Trinity Methodist
Church. Interment will be made at Springdale
cemetery, near Lafayette.